Peter considered this as he carefully set the cat upon the floor and with a shove of his foot told her to busy herself about her predestined occupation. Then he lifted his eyes to Jason and was rather surprised to notice how the boy had grown since the last time he had looked at him carefully. Maybe his height was due to the fact that Jason was standing. Peter got upon his feet in order to bring his bulk more nearly on a level with Jason, and when he reached a level with the boy, he noticed that height was not the only attainment since he had last looked at him searchingly. His face had so many things in it that Peter blinked and turned his eyes from it. It was almost as if he had looked into a holy of holies where the eyes of a human being had no right to intrude. He wondered what could have happened to the boy in twelve hours that had turned him into a man. There was something so heart-stirring in Jason’s face that Peter Potter’s voice was husky as he asked: “Why do you think I need a partner?” Jason replied: “You need a driver who won’t race your delivery horse when he’s out of your sight. You need a clerk who will weigh your goods carefully, charge what he should, and use sense about giving credit. You need a partner who will put all the money he is paid into your cash drawer, and who won’t spend his spare time fishing from your raisin jar and your cracker barrel.” Peter Potter moistened his lips with an interested tongue and ventured a study of Jason’s face. “Meaning you?” he inquired tersely. Jason took off his hat and tried to see how tall he could look. He bravely answered: “Yes, Peter, meaning me. I could do a lot of things that would be a big help to you, if you would give me a free hand here until I could show you what I could do.” Peter reflected. “I don’t see how you’re going to do so very much in what time you have mornings and evenings; really to perform a miracle you’d need more of the week than Saturday.” “You are right,” said Jason. “All the time there is, I can give to you. I’m not going to school any more.” Peter shook his head. “No, Jason,” he said finally, “that won’t do. Eddication is a blasted good thing for any boy or girl to have I’ve taken a good deal of pride in you, bein’ top notch of your classes. I’ve figured that I’d buy you a purty nice present the night you gradiate with the honours of your class.” Then Jason looked Peter through and through. A big warm surge of comfort suffused his wiry body. How wonderful! Peter Potter was proud of him! He had been planning secretly to buy him a gift. Jason forgot about how tall he was trying to look.